House Speaker Paul Ryan to call for UNITY in convention speech

House Speaker Paul Ryan to call for UNITY in convention speech

House Speaker Paul Ryan will make a plea Tuesday for unity — not just among Republicans torn over Donald Trump’s nomination, but for the divided country too.

Ryan, the party’s 2012 vice presidential nominee, is scheduled to deliver a prime-time address during the GOP convention here as the day’s theme focuses on the economy and jobs.

But after the turbulent first convention night, Ryan — who has famously struggled over his own comfort level with Trump as the GOP presidential nominee — now has an opportunity to try to restore decorum to the event.

“Speaker Ryan will talk about the sense of urgency that our party should feel in such a consequential election,” an aide familiar with the speech told The Times.

“He will offer a sharp contrast with the failed progressivism of the last eight years. The Speaker will call for a contest of ideas this fall and talk about the better way that Republicans are offering the country,” the aide said. “He will also argue that we can make the changes we need only with Republican majorities in Congress and Donald Trump in the White House.”

“And finally,” the aide added, “the Speaker will make a call for unity, not just as Republicans but as a country as well.”